Cabramatta Public School
Key features
Raising awareness of NSW Quality Teaching framework, establishing links between the QT framework and the K-6 Maths Syllabus and improving classroom practice
School context
Cabramatta Public School has an enrolment of 650 students, 97% of whom are from a LBOTE.
The main language groups are Vietnamese (40%), Chinese (20%) and Khmer (15%) The teaching staff is experienced and stable. There are large community language and ESL staffing components. Structures are in place for community language teachers to work with classroom teachers in the classroom.
Planning
Margaret Jones (DP) and Judith Greenfield (AP), with support from other members of the school executive.
Objectives
- Gain a better understanding of the QT framework
- Develop a deeper knowledge of the K-6 Maths syllabus
- Improve classroom practice, including a reduced use of Maths textbooks
- Improve numeracy outcomes of Year 5 students in the middle achievement bands
- Review structures, in particular the links between community language teachers and classroom teachers, in the teaching of numeracy.
Targets
The target was to improve the growth of numeracy skills for higher performing students in Year 5.
The target group was Year 5 students in the middle achievement bands (Skill Bands 3 and 4) for numeracy. They were identified from Year 3 BST results and classroom teachers’ assessments.
Strategies
The program was implemented over 2-3 terms in 2005 by:
- professional learning of whole staff on QT framework by PSP consultants. Staff considered their strengths and areas for improvement in relation to the QT framework
- teachers developed lesson plans using the QT framework, taught lessons, evaluated their success and shared this with other teachers in their Stage
- professional learning of whole staff on the teaching of data in the K-6 Maths Syllabus and deep knowledge by SEO2 Quality Teaching consultant (previously K-6 Maths consultant)
- classroom teachers buddied up and observed and evaluated each other’s Maths lessons in relation to the QT framework.
Resources used
PSP Consultant
SEO2 Quality Teaching consultants
DET Maths resources
Quantitative outcomes
PSP Consultant
SEO2 Quality Teaching consultants
DET Maths resources
Qualitative outcomes
Increased dialogue amongst staff on QT materials and K-6 Maths Syllabus.
Improved staff expertise and deep knowledge about the teaching of the K-6 Maths Syllabus.
Staff surveys indicated improved student and staff engagement.
Improved classroom practice of classroom and community language teachers.
Future directions
Support Stage 1 teachers in lesson planning that focuses on QT materials and the Maths syllabus, and relies less on textbooks.
Continue to develop deep knowledge about the teaching of Maths through a focus on openended questioning, problem solving and the literacy demands of Mathematics.
Assist teachers to develop a more sequential set of lessons to develop key concepts.
Extend quality teaching practice across other KLAs.
Implications
- provide regular professional opportunities for staff to engage with QT framework and Syllabus documents
- maintain a sustained focus for improvement to be achieved
- look for, and make use of, the hidden capacities of your staff
- value the work of community language teachers
- recognise and value the different cultural experiences of students in classroom teaching.
- don’t overlook the learning needs of higher performing students
Further information
Cabramatta Public School: (02) 9724 1534
Margaret Jones
Judith Greenfield
